University of Chicago Library

Guide to the A. Milo Bennett Papers ca. 1897-1933

Descriptive Summary

Special Collections Research Center
University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.

Abstract:

A. Milo Bennett was a leading theatrical booking agent in Chicago in the early twentieth century. This collection contains mainly incoming correspondence, ca. 1900s-1930s, sent to A. Milo Bennett. It also contains an autograph collection and two pen-and-ink cartoons related to Bennett's life and work.

Information on Use

Access

Open for research. No restrictions

Citation

When quoting material from
this collection, the preferred citation is: Bennett, A. Milo. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Biographical Note

A. Milo Bennett was a leading theatrical booking agent in Chicago in the early twentieth century. He billed his company, Bennett's Dramatic and Musical Exchange, as the "Only First Class Exchange West of New York." It occupied various locations in Chicago's theater district in the 1900s-1910s. Bennett booked national-level productions, coordinating actors and productions with Chicago's major theaters. Bennett was active in a number of civic organizations such as the Chicago Press Club, was a published poet, and also participated in local and national political efforts.

Scope Note

This collection contains mainly incoming correspondence, ca. 1900s-1930s, sent to A. Milo Bennett. Among the notables who wrote to Bennett were national celebrities and important local figures, including John Philip Sousa, Bram Stoker, Wallace Beery, Charles Coburn, William Jennings Bryan, William Emmett Dever, and Jane Addams. The correspondence tends to be routine in its content, and includes invitation acceptances and regrets, booking negotiations, and arrangements for travel.

The remainder of incoming correspondence found here is in the form of a large autograph collection. This collection consists of hundreds of pieces of autographs clipped from letters, some loose and some pasted into a scrapbook. Unfortunately, the letters themselves were not retained with the autographs, and the content of this correspondence is fragmentary at best. The scrapbook into which many of these autographs were pasted also contains letters, news clippings, Bennett's poetry, drawings and memorabilia.

Two pen-and-ink cartoons are also included in the collection. One is an unidentified caricature related to the Chicago Press Club, the other a lively sketch of theater personalities by Chicago artist Mark Hayne.

Related Resources

The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections: